Chess Puzzle #ct0B8 — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen d2; rooks d1/h1; bishop d3; knights b1/f3; pawns b2/c2/e5/f2/g4/h3. Black: king g7; queen b6; rooks a1/a8; bishop d7; knight d5; pawns b7/c5/d6/e7/f7/g6/h4. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: exd6 — pawn e5→d6, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxb1+ — rook a1→b1, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Kxb1 (king c1→b1, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qa7 — queen b6→a7. Opponent replies Ba6 (bishop d3→a6).
4. Best move: Qxa6 — queen a7→a6, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame, quiet move, sacrifice. The key move Rxb1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r7/1p1bppk1/1q1p2p1/2pnP3/6Pp/3B1N1P/1PPQ1P2/rNKR3R w - - 0 20

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